By Katelyn S. Irons
By the time January Term break is here, most students have been tugging at the leash for some time off. Whether it's escape from the frigid weather or just looking forward to the lack of homework, J-term break is an important time to relax and release some pent up stress. If you aren't planning on going home already, here are some ideas of things to keep yourself occupied.
J-term break starts Friday January 25 after your last class period and goes until your first class of spring semester which begins Wednesday January 30.
Local activities For those staying in town due to a low budget, you can either stay on campus or convince friends to drive you places. Catch a movie that you've been wanting to see. Go to a store and stock up on snacks before spring semester sets in.
Day trip with friends If you have a car or a friend with one, get a group together and go to Indianapolis for a day. A trip to Indy can comprise of anything from enjoying art and culture to grabbing the latest spring fashions at the mall. Plan your trip out in advance to keep expenses low. Find coupons online or take advantage of free things to do like the Indianapolis Museum of Art, open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Indianapolis Zoo is a sure thing for thrills with the "world's largest shark touch tank," open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For a full immersion experience, visit the IMAX theater.
FOR A SLOWER PACE: If you wish to simply use your time off to relax and recuperate, there are a lot of things to do while on campus. Use this time to do everything that you've been putting off for the last six months - read a book, write one of your friends a letter, catch up on your favorite shows you've missed or take some time to finally discover your favorite Starbucks drink.
If some alone time is what you want, make an attempt to clean your room. While it might seem dull, during break is the perfect time to wash that pile of clothes that have been lying on your floor all this month.
With a little rest and room maintenance, you'll be ready to hit the books again for spring semester.
